COVID-19 AND SOUTH AFRICA’S SMALL, MEDIUM AND MICRO ENTERPRISES: CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Abstract

Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have a major role to play in sustainable development. SMMEs create incomes through employment and help to reduce poverty and income inequality, and to spur economic growth. However, the performance of SMMEs has been negatively impacted by Covid -19, a communicable respiratory disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus that causes illness in humans. The paper explores the challenges faced by SMMEs because of Covid-19. In addition, the paper suggests recommendations that can help to mitigate the challenges faced by SMMEs because of Covid- 19. The study adopted the desk research methodology that involved the synthesis of extant local and international secondary data sources on Covid- 19 and SMMEs.